The unusual 15-meter-tall "Northern Cliff" that sits next to the Arabian Sea is the main attraction of Varkala, a seaside town in Kerala's southern region. Varkala, the capital of Kerala, is about 50 kilometres north of Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum), and it provides the ideal fusion of spirituality, natural beauty, and cultural appeal. It is well-known for its hippy culture, the samadhi of Kerala's saint Sree Narayana Guru, and the cliffside shacks that serve delicious seafood and play international music. Dakshin Kashi, also known as Janardana Swami Temple, is another notable landmark in Varkala.
Varkala is well known for its beautiful cliffside views that provide an amazing setting for exploration and leisure with a view of the Arabian Sea. The Varkala Cliff, the town's most famous feature, is a geological wonder that draws tourists from all over the world. It is the perfect place for leisurely strolls and sunset viewing because it is perched above the cliffs and has a lot of cafes, shops, and guesthouses with expansive views of the sea.
Varkala is a small paradise with some of the best unspoiled beaches, hills, lakes, lighthouses, forts, natural fisheries, and springs. Additionally, there are numerous stores offering cotton harem pants, oxidised silver jewellery and yoga mats with Hebrew signage. It's a must-visit city in Kerala because of its clean beaches, inexpensive resorts, and ayurvedic treatments.
Varkala's thriving yoga and Ayurvedic culture, which attracts both wellness aficionados and spiritual searchers, is one of its main attractions. Numerous yoga centres, retreats, and Ayurvedic spas that provide a variety of holistic healing experiences can be found in the area. Indulge in restorative Ayurvedic treatments, yoga sessions, and meditation sessions in the tranquil surroundings of Varkala's seaside scenery.
Varkala provides visitors with a range of recreational activities in addition to wellness programs. At Varkala Beach, where golden beaches meet turquoise waters to create a stunning environment for beachgoers, popular water sports include swimming and paragliding. In addition, those with an adventurous spirit can go surfing, explore the surrounding backwaters, or take leisurely boat trips on the peaceful rivers.
Varkala offers a number of noteworthy sites and attractions for individuals who are interested in learning about different cultures. Founded by the renowned social reformer Sree Narayana Guru, the Sivagiri Mutt is a pilgrimage centre that provides insights into the socio-religious history and customs of Kerala. Lord Vishnu's historic Janardanaswamy Temple is a tribute to the town's rich spiritual tradition and architectural magnificence.
Best time to visit Varkala
From October through February is the ideal time of year to visit Varkala. In Varkala, seeing the town's beaches, cliffs, and cultural attractions is strongly suggested throughout the nice and dry season (22°C to 32°C). This seaside village's beauty is enhanced by the pleasant atmosphere and cooler air that winters bring. It's important to remember, though, that the winter months are busy, with more people and more expensive lodging. Summertime temperatures can get as high as 40°C, making them unsuitable for travel. Although monsoons can be inexpensive, you should avoid going during the busiest months because of the intense rains that cause travel to stop until winter.
How to Reach Varkala
Varkala has excellent rail and road connections to the rest of India. Frequent train and bus services are available to and from Varkala; government and commercial operators, particularly the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation, operate the buses. However, there isn't a direct flight connection to Varkala. The closest airport connecting Varkala to the rest of India is in Thiruvananthapuram, about 40 km distant.
Varkala Tour Packages
Anchuthengu Fort (Anjengo Fort), Varkala
Located in Varkala, Kerala, Anjengo Fort, sometimes called Anchuthengu Fort, is a historic wonder. This fort, one of the first British East India Company outposts in India, is about 12 kilometers from Varkala town and has great historical significance. Anjengo Fort, which was built in the 17th century, was a vital trading center for the British, who mostly traded spices with the local kings.
Read MoreJatayu Earth's Center, Kollam, Kerala
On November 25, 2017, the rock-themed Jatayu Nature Park opened. The tourism center, which was constructed to promote mythology and adventure travel, features an ayurveda cave resort, a digital audio-visual room, a 6D theater, and a cable car. It is also home to numerous adventure sports including paintball, laser tag, archery, bouldering, rock climbing, air-rifle shooting etc. However, the park’s main draw is the largest stone-cut bird sculpture in the world, which is a reproduction of the mythical Ramayana bird Jatayu.
Read MoreVarkala Beach, Kerala (India) | Cliff, Resorts, Nightlife & Activities
Varkala Beach, also called Papanasam Beach, is a stunning stretch of sand that is recognized for its seclusion in contrast to other commercial beaches around Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. It is situated in a lovely environment approximately 10 miles from the serene and tranquil hamlet of Varkala in Kerala. Since these sedimentary formation peaks are absent from Kerala’s normally flat coastline, the Arabian Sea backdrop against the state’s cliffs is unusual.
Read MoreSivagiri Mutt, Varkala, Kerala
One of the well-known ashrams of Shri Narayana Guru, Sivagiri Mutt, is situated in Varkala in Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram region. Every year in August and September, respectively, this ashram commemorates Guru Deva Jayanti and Guru Deva Samadhi. When visiting Sivagiri Mutt, one should not miss the neighboring attractions of Varkala Beach and Janardhana Swami Temple. Varkala served as the headquarters for Sree Narayana Guru (1855–1928), a saint, philosopher, social reformer, and Ezhava community leader.
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